North Korea's nuclear test: What you need to know

South Korean army soldiers patrol along barbed-wire fences at the Imjingak Pavilion, near the demilitarized zone of Panmunjom, in Paju, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. South Korea is confirming that North Korea has tested a nuclear device in defiance of U.N. orders to stop building atomic weapons. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

North Korea tested what it claims was a miniaturized nuclear bomb Tuesday. What would it mean if that is true?

North Korea nuclear test: What you need to know

North Korea announces the test on state TV - North Korea claims it tested a nuclear bomb early Tuesday, and the impact of the explosion registered 4.9 on the Richter Scale. The country's previous tests, carried out in 2006 and 2009, were substantially smaller.- North Korea also claims the device was miniaturized, making it suitable for launching atop a missile. North Korea successfully tested a long-range missile in December.- "[North Korea] is likely to be years away from fielding an ...